Pooch Hall and Meagan Good in Jumping the Broom Film

Jumping the broom during a wedding started out as a tradition in Africa in the 1600s. Signifying the entrance of a new life and “sweeping away” their former single ones, the legacy found its way to the black community in America who were not allowed to get married during slavery. Jumping the broom was the only way they were able to proclaim their commitment to another being and it continues today as a reminder of when their vows were not legally acknowledged.

In 2011, the legacy continues when director Salim Akil created a humorous and enchanting romance of two families that clash together when meeting for the first time at a wedding. The new film, “Jumping the Broom” has started a buzz within the black community but the thrill increased at Florida A&M University.

In the five-star hotel, sat the casual dressed Marion “Pooch” Hall and Meagan Good who were ordering scrambled eggs and orange juice. They assisted in making a difficult situation extremely easy as they smiled calmly and extended their hands to introduce themselves.

Good, who washumble and calm portrayed a young woman named Blythe, in the new film, who had no problems expressing her feelings towards a man who doesn’t have it together. While conversing with friends, she made it known that she refused to lower her standards and “the list” was, in fact, something she [Blythe] would go by.

But this isn’t the real Meagan Good.

“I was really interested in playing this character because a lot of women have the misconception about what is important; whether it’s the money, the cars or the guys who are doing this and that. It’s really unfortunate,” she said. “I have a real heart for young women and who I feel we are in society. In a lot of ways I feel like we are the backbone and the advice givers.”

She does not have a list but she does have one major requirement. “The number one thing is that he has to believe in God—that’s the deal breaker.”

Next to her was a more amusing Pooch Hall than the masses are normally used to watching on television. Hall had jokes that could last for days and the light mood could be credited to him.

He played Ricky, the best friend of the groom, who believes on and off the screen in trust and loyalty.

“When you call someone your friend and you hear someone talking about them you say ‘hey, I’d would rather you not say this because I consider this person my friend,’” Hall said.

Having been in their own share of dysfunctional weddings, both Good and Hall were in for a treat when they realized how something like this could actually happen. For Good it hit home when she reminisced on a family wedding of her own when an uncle who was to participate wore bright baby blue shoes instead of the required orange.

“I got my dress taken in because I felt like it was too big but when I arrived at the wedding, I noticed it was suppose to look that way and everyone was staring at me as if I was trying to steal the shine,” Good said as she shook in laughter.

Although the cast is filled with dramatic personalities such as Mike Epps, Loretta Devine, and Tasha Smith, Hall and Good reassured us that there were no divas on set.

“The most drama we had were the mosquitoes that were eating us up the entire time!” Good said.